Using product protocols effectively

A product protocol is an incredibly useful time-saving tool.  It allows you to save all the recommendation data entered into a product section of your medical chart, and then automatically re-populate that data into an empty product section by selecting the protocol from a list.

This means that you can create very thorough product recommendations, which can include blending information, prescription data, product scheduling information and additional dosage and description information, and reuse those recommendations without having to retype a single word.

Creating A Product Protocol

The first step in creating a protocol is to actually add the product recommendation information into the Product Section.  This article will not go into detail about all the different types of options available in a product section – we have other articles that detail how all of that works – but it’s important to note that all the information you enter will be saved along with the protocol.

Once you are done creating your blend, or adding your prescription, or creating your product schedule, you can then create a protocol by entering the name of your new protocol in the “Save Protocol” text box a the top right of every product section.

Enter the name of the protocol you want to save.

Once you have entered the name of your new protocol, click on Save.  Note the dispensary selected when you create a Product Protocol.  Because Product Protocols are based on products, they are also connected to specific dispensaries.  So a Product Protocol resides within a dispensary, just like the product it refers to.

Using A Protocol

When time comes for you to use a saved protocol, start by adding a new Product Section to your chart.  Then, ensure that you have the proper dispensary selected, and then use the Product Select Box to search for and select the protocol you want to use.  Once selected, your entire product section will update to reflect all the data stored in that protocol.

Selecting a pre-saved protocol.

If that protocol includes scheduling data, for example, that means that the product will automatically be loaded into the Product Schedule.  If it has a prescription, then the prescription and dosage will be ready to go immediately.

Your only task after loading a protocol is to review it for accuracy, make any modifications needed for the specific patient in front of you, and then move on.

Note as well that you will be able to see and use any protocol created by any practitioner at the clinic you are logged into.

Best practices for Product Protocols

When creating a product protocol, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:

• Try not to use shortform:  Remember that a product protocol already speeds up charting.  Try to make your descriptions and instructions in your protocol clear and thorough.  Using a protocol will bring all these details into the chart automatically, so there is no reason to use confusing shortform that your patients may not understand.  Also note that protocols are shared clinic-wide.  So try to create protocols that other practitioners at your clinic would understand and find useful for themselves as well.
• Do not create multiple protocol variations unless necessary.  Note that a protocol is a starting point,  When you add a protocol to your chart, it will load in all the information saved in that protocol, but you can also edit that information after it is added.  Try to avoid saving small edits into different protocols unless those specific edits are substantial enough, and occur often enough, to warrant a protocol of their own.